5 Things / Shining
Listen to this episode:
My family has an annual New Year’s Eve night tradition with a paper lantern. Each of us writes on the lantern some things we want to release from the previous year. Then we walk out to the sidewalk, shivering as we struggle to light the lantern in the breeze, try to avoid trees, and send the lantern and its bad vibes out into the atmosphere. It feels good to have a ritual around letting go.
I wrote, in part, “any resistance to playing small.” I’m here to play big. I’m here to shine as I live my purpose, which involves making it easier for you to be inclusive of everyone.
The world needs us all to shine bright, to step into our authenticity, to choose connection over and over again. It’s good for humankind and it’s good for business. Please drop a line if you’d like me to bring this message to your organization in the new year.
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
Starbucks Serves Up Parental Leave Perks
Starbucks is expanding paid parental leave for in-store workers, boosting birth parent leave to 18 weeks at full pay and non-birth parent leave to 12 weeks. This leap from the previous six weeks of paid leave reflects employee feedback and aims to improve morale and performance. With only 16% of service workers accessing paid family leave in 2023, Starbucks joins the rare 2% of retail companies offering comparable benefits. ♐Enhance equity by offering consistent leave policies across roles.
Justice Takes the Stage—Literally!
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson fulfilled a lifelong dream with a cameo in Broadway’s & Juliet. Watch it here. The historic one-night appearance underscored her belief that “anything is possible.” Jackson’s passion for theatre, revealed in her memoir Lovely One, aligns with her trailblazing path as the first Black, female Supreme Court justice. Her Broadway bow celebrates representation and the blending of diverse aspirations. ♐Pursue personal passions to inspire others.
Walmart Provides Visual Interpretation
Walmart, which recently pulled back from some DEI commitments, is partnering with Aira to provide free visual interpretation services for customers with disabilities. Through the Aira app, individuals can connect with trained interpreters who assist with navigation, signage, and product details—empowering them to shop independently. This initiative complements Walmart’s sensory-friendly hours, adaptive product lines, and availability of Caroline’s Cart. ♐Inclusivity initiatives enhance customer experience and loyalty.
Breaking Up Is Hard to Hide
Employers hesitant to address divorce overlook its workplace impact: reduced focus, lower productivity, and increased stress. Companies like Hearst are using products like Hello Divorce and Fairwell, which are cost-effective, accessible tools for navigating legal, financial, and emotional complexities. Other services like SupportPay streamline the often challenging co-parenting responsibilities. ♐Through these benefits, companies can reduce stigma while fostering inclusivity.
Hasbro Plays to Win on Innovation
Women accounted for only 10.9% of U.S. patents in 2022, but Hasbro’s Women Innovators of Play addresses this by fostering creativity through challenges, mentorship, and $10,000 awards. Through events like the Women’s Inventor Toy Challenge, Hasbro builds pathways for women inventors to thrive. By actively promoting women's participation, Hasbro addresses gender disparities in the industry, drives innovation and reflects a broader range of perspectives in product development. ♐Invest in diversity-focused initiatives that inspire innovation (consult your attorney first!) 🙄
This Week’s Call to Action:
Listen to this short National Public Radio segment about President Jimmy Carter’s “legacy of advancing progress for Black women.” I wasn’t previously aware of the appointments he made and the opportunities he created.